Make Athens Your Spring Break Destination

If you haven't already decided where to take the family for Spring Break this year, why not bring them to Athens, Texas?

Conveniently located within a few hours drive from most major cities in Texas, Athens offers the perfect place to get away and spend quality time with your family without breaking your pocketbook.

Nestled among the rolling hills and piney wood forests of East Texas, Athens is a mix of landscapes and known for its natural beauty. The outdoors is the major draw for Athens with opportunities for fishing, golfing, bird watching, biking, boating and water skiing.

So what can you and your family do while you're in Athens?  We've put together a few suggestions on how you and your family can spend time together this Spring Break.


Day 1

Get in touch with your cultural side!  Did you know that Athens is named in honor of Athens, Greece?  Mrs. Dull Averiette named Athens, Texas in honor of Athens, Greece because she felt the town would become the cultural center of the county.  Spend time downtown while you're in Athens and stop by the Henderson County Historical Museum to learn more about the history of Athens and Henderson County.  Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum is housed in the historic Faulk-Gauntt building, located one block north of the courthouse square. First built in 1896 as a grocery store, exhibits on the first floor continue to emulate a turn-of-the-century dry goods store while the second floor is a re-creation of an early law office, parlor, bedroom, bath, kitchen, and schoolroom.  Take a step back in time and experience life the way it was at the turn-of-the-century.


Next, you'll want to visit the art galleries in downtown Athens.  The newest gallery in Athens is Gallery 211, located one block east of the museum. Whether you're browsing for fine art, sculptures or paintings, Gallery 211 features regional art in a wide variety of media and genres. For two weeks in March, the gallery will host the Youth Art Month show featuring winning artists from competitions throughout the county. Gallery 211 is open Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take a break and enjoy lunch at one of our downtown restaurants.  Did you know that Athens is home of the original hamburger? Athens native "Uncle" Fletcher Davis introduced this wonderful new sandwich at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. A historical marker on the downtown square pays tribute to the originator of this all-time favorite American food. In honor of our hamburger history, enjoy an old-fashioned hamburger while you're in town. For a complete list of restaurants, check out our restaurant listing by clicking here.

After lunch, stroll through downtown and visit some of our local boutiques. For a complete list of shopping opportunities in Athens, click here.


Day 2

Take the family to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center for a day of fun.  Did you know that at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center the entire family can go fishing, no license is required, and all bait and tackle are furnished?  The 1.2 acre lake is stocked with plentiful numbers of catfish and sunfish year-round and rainbow trout are stocked from December through March. The friendly TFFC staff will provide a brief orientation to fishing and your choice of bait. They will also untangle your line and replace lost hooks or bobbers or any other equipment problems, leaving you free to concentrate on fishing.

In addition to fishing, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center offers 300,000 gallons of aquaria with native Texas fish, a daily dive show, an alligator exhibit, tram tours, and the interpretive wetland trail where kids can go turtle-spotting, see bees at work and walk off stream.  Stay on the grounds for a family picnic and be sure to buy a souvenir at the TFFC gift shop.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will have a couple of special events in March.  The monthly Bird and Nature Walk will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on March 9th. These outings are perfect for both beginning and advanced birdwatchers. Birdlife changes with the seasons and each outing should see a variety of 25 or more species. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them, although it is not required, and prepare to learn about the birdlife of the Athens area.  Also on March 9th, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will host their annual Fly Fish Texas event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  If you've ever wanted to learn to fly fish, don't miss this event.  Aimed at the novice fly fisher, this event is designed to teach you how to tie a fly, cast it and catch a fish with it, all in the same day!

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5.50 adults, $4.50 seniors 65 & older, and $3.50 for children ages 4 through 12.

Day 3

Up for an adventure? Head on out to NY-TX Zipline Adventures, the "Best Adventure Tour in Texas." Located 15 miles east of Athens in New York, Texas, NY-TX Zipline Adventures is atop the highest point in Henderson County at Shultz Mountain. The zipline offer guests a panoramic view of the beautiful rolling hills and trees of East Texas and they have the longest zipline in Texas at over 900 feet! NY-TX Zipline offers 6 lines and 9 lines for your zipline experience. Regular hours are Thursday through Sunday by reservation only, but they will be open all week during Spring Break on March 11th-15th. Please be sure to call ahead.

After your zipline adventure, head over to Lake Athens Marina and stop by the bait shop to pick up your supplies to go pier fishing. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at their restaurant. Lake Athens is a 1,799 acre lake and offers a variety of water sport activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Impounded in 1962, the lake is known for largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and white bass. Spring is the best time of year for largemouth bass and crappie and white bass are most active from February through May. Bring your boat and have some fun on the water. Although they are not rented by the marina, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, and other water sport paraphernalia are welcomed on Lake Athens.

Day 4

One hundred acres of wooded beauty, trees, flowers, and wildlife await your discovery at the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society. The forest appears to come alive as you meander along two miles of woodland trails. Make your way along winding, spring-fed streams connected by a 115-foot suspension bridge. Experience life in early Henderson County at the historic Wofford House museum, built in 1850. Stroll through the beautiful gardens and watch the kids play on the playground, slide hill, and explore the playhouses.  The East Texas Arboretum is open daily from daylight to dusk. Admission is $2 per person for ages 12 and older.

Next, take the family bowling for some family fun.  The Athens Bowling Center offers $.99 bowling all day on Monday. Plus, they have an arcade and in-door miniature golf providing a safe place for children to play. With 22 lanes, there's room for everyone! In between games, visit the snack bar for a delicious treat.  The Athens Bowling Center is open on Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In March, it's still a little too cold to swim outdoors but you can still swim in Athens at the Cain Center!  Guests staying overnight in Athens hotels are offered complimentary access to the fitness center and indoor junior Olympic swimming pool, simply by showing their hotel room key to the front desk attendant. The kids will enjoy jumping off the diving boards and parents can relax nearby in the hot tub, dry sauna, and steam room.

The Cain Center sits nestled in the heart of the beautiful 85-acre Cain Park, surrounded by beautiful oaks and pines.  Cain Park is a great place to walk or jog, or even ride your bikes.  There is a playground, fishing pond, and tennis courts for all your recreational needs.

On March 16th, the Cain Center will host its 28th Annual Athens Triathlon. The 300 meter pool swim, 13.8 mile bike ride, and 5 km run is perfect for first timers! Awards will be presented to 1st Overall Male/Female, 1st Male/Female Masters, and 1st Overall Male/Female Grandmasters. Age groups start at age 10 and up. Call the Cain Center at 903-677-2000 for more information.

So what are you waiting for?  Pack your bags and head to Athens for Spring Break 2013!  But wait, before you do, be sure and make your hotel reservations. For more information about Athens, including a complete list of attractions, restaurants, hotels, coupons, and shopping opportunities, visit us online at www.AthensTX.org. If you have any questions about your visit, give us a call at 1-888-294-2847 or stop by our office, located in the Athens Partnership Center at 201 W. Corsicana Street, Suite 2 to pick up your brochures.

We look forward to seeing you in Athens!